Research Excellence Framework - Birkbeck, University of London

The Research Excellence Framework is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK Universities. In the last exercise, REF 2021,157 universities were assessed by 34 subject-based panels. For the assessment, universities are required to provide copies of the outputs from research (journal papers, books, performances etc.), impact case studies which showcase how our research has led to measurable and evidencable change outside the academy, and the environment that the College provides to nurture and sustain our research endeavours.

In REF 2021, 41% of Birkbeck’s research was confirmed as being world leading, with most (83%) confirmed as world leading or internationally excellent, which, according to analysis published by Times Higher Education, placed Birkbeck in the top institutions nationally for Art and Design, English Language and Literature, Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Informatics, Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Economics and Econometrics, History, Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, and Sociology.

REF 2029 Code of Practice

View Birkbeck's Code of Practice, which will enable the College to submit to the 2029 Research Excellence Framework.

REF 2021 results

83% of all Birkbeck's research was rated ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

REF 2021 impact case studies

Read more about the significance of Birkbeck research with these REF 2021 Impact Case Studies.

REF 2021 code of practice

View Birkbeck's Code of Practice, which enabled the College to submit to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.